Is your former baby ready for a toddler bed? What you need to know before you make the move.

The transition from a crib to a toddler bed can bring up big feelings—for everyone. While this is a big step towards independence, it can also be anxiety-inducing and sad.

“This is one of the milestones that signify the end of the babyhood stage. It’s sad,”  says Maria Clara Lopez, a pediatric sleep coach. “Sometimes children will have grief; I have witnessed children’s behaviour regressing with this transition. They will baby-talk, ask for bottles and pacifiers when they are weaned, and verbally state that they are indeed a baby.” She says that this can make it difficult for parents to stick with the new boundaries and expectations that come with a toddler bed.

To help you smoothly transition your toddler to a big kid bed, we asked experts for their top crib-to-bed transition tips. 

When to transition to a toddler bed

Wondering when to switch to a toddler bed?  Lopez says it’s important to look out for key developmental milestones that ensure your child is ready for the change.

“She explains, ‘They should be willing and able to climb into their crib at bedtime, complete tasks like brushing their teeth and putting on pajamas independently.”

And while some parents may want to start at 18 months, Lopez suggests that your child should also be at least 2.5 years old before you make the transition. “When they’re too young, they can’t understand the expectation to stay in bed,” she warns. “They will start waking up in the middle of the night to leave their bed and walk out of their room.”

Creating a cozy and inviting sleep environment

Make the room safe

“One way to do this is to anchor furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping over if your child climbs on it or pulls out drawers to use as steps,” says  Jessica Bryant, a sleep strategist of the Better Sleep Council. “Also, use outlet covers to prevent children from inserting objects into sockets and eliminate dangers such as blind cords and sharp objects.”

To create a sleep-friendly environment, Bryant also suggests simplifying the room. “Remove stimulating toys and leave a few books and comfort items like stuffed animals in the room,” she suggests. “Installing a night light can provide reassurance without disrupting sleep, making it a good addition to the room.”

Choose bedding carefully

“Safety is the most important consideration for bedtime items,” explains Jennifer Walker, RN, BSN, of Moms on Call, a parenting resource and sleep training program. “We tend to overdo it with plush items, which are more distracting than helpful and can become hazardous if they are too plush. Once a child has moved to a bed, a nice, soft fitted sheet and a light blanket are sufficient for a cozy night’s sleep.”

Select toddler-friendly pillows

Walker says that toddler pillows can be used after two years of age, but they should be thinner rather than plush.

Establish a bedtime routine

Establishing a routine is also a great part of creating a cozy and inviting sleep environment. One way to do this, according to Walker, is to have bathtime before bed. After the bath, children can be transitioned to a bed, where the warmth and relaxation from the bath help signal to their bodies that it’s time for sleep.

“Children learn by association and routine, so when that warm bath begins to relax them in the evening hours right before bed, it helps indicate to their body that the time for sleep is coming,” she suggests.

Create some ambiance

“The best sleep environment for a child is one that promotes rest for all the senses,” explains Walker. “This includes maintaining a temperature of 68 to 72 degrees, ensuring the room is dark, using a white noise machine to enhance REM sleep, and wearing soft, weather-appropriate pajamas. Everything in the room should send the same message.”

Tips for a smooth transition

Implement gradual changes

A gradual transition is crucial when helping your toddler adapt to a larger bed. To do this successfully, Dr. Nechama Sorscher, a neuropsychologist, recommends involving your child in the process from the start.

“Allowing your child to pick the new bed and taking their interests into account helps with the adjustment,” she explains. “For example, if your child likes cars, picking a bed in the shape of a car (or with car-related imagery) can get them excited about the transition.”

To make the transition even smoother, it’s helpful to implement changes gradually. According to Sorscher, “Napping is a good place to start because toddlers are typically used to napping in different places, such as daycare or at grandparents’ homes. You can also introduce the bed to the toddler by placing some favourite toys in it and playing with the toddler on the bed.”

Use positive reinforcement

Children respond well to praise and positive reinforcement, says Sorscher. However, she advises against using a reward system with a toddler. “You want the activity to be intrinsically motivating, and you want them to have the idea that accomplishing a task for the sake of the accomplishment is enough—you don’t need a reward or an extra toy,” she explains. “Using praise, conversation, playfulness and encouragement is more than enough.”

Address fears and anxiety

“Children are often afraid of the dark, going to sleep, and bad dreams,” explains Sorscher. “Parents can offer comfort to these nighttime fears by providing tools that help reassure and comfort the child. For example, a favourite stuffed animal, a night light, teaching simple breathing techniques and singing a favourite song can be effective.”

Be patient

Transitioning your toddler to a big kid bed takes time. Sorscher emphasizes the importance of being patient, avoiding frustration or anger, and celebrating any small victories along the way.

“These developmental victories are not achieved all at once: Children grow in stages and steps, so being aware of and supporting small wins paves the way to success,” she explains.

The bottom line

Transitioning to a toddler bed is a significant milestone for parents and children to celebrate together. According to Lopez, “As a parent, you’re giving your older child the freedom to roam their room at night for the first time, trusting them to respect the boundaries you’ve set for bedtime. For the child, a toddler bed is a brand new concept—and a huge one.”

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Article source: Today’s Parent

Discovery Point Nursery and Academy is a daycare in Woodbridge, Vaughan, Ontario